Rawalpindi and Islamabad: Security beefed up ahead of foreign teams’ arrival

ISLAMABAD: Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) placed security in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on high alert on Sunday, enforcing strict security measures and suspending all public and goods transport services ahead of the second round of peace talks between Iran and the United States (US).

The LEAs have sealed the Red Zone — which includes the Diplomatic Enclave, Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Parliament House, Supreme Court, and other key government offices and extended red zone— for all traffic until further notice due to the arrival of foreign delegations.

Security has been heightened across both cities, with more than 16,000 personnel deployed in Islamabad from the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, Islamabad and Punjab police, as well as traffic and motorway police. Additional forces have been stationed at entry and exit points, sensitive installations, and along key routes leading to the Red Zone, including from Islamabad International Airport and Nur Khan Airbase. The army will be deployed in and around the Red Zone and important installations in the high security zone.

According to sources, the administration has obtained undertaking certificates from owners of buildings, houses located along the designated routes of the high-profile visiting delegations. As per the undertaking, owners of houses, shops, plazas, and hotels located on these routes have been made responsible for adhering to security protocols. Parking will not be allowed on the designated routes during the movement of the delegations, while entry of unknown people into these areas will not be allowed.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi police have deployed over 10,000 officers and personnel of police, and over 600 special pickets have been established for close monitoring of all the entry and exit routes of the city.

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued an alternate traffic plan for citizens, which it said will remain in place from Sunday till further notice. The Islamabad Expressway, from Korral to Zero Point, will also be shut for all traffic.

In addition, traffic on Srinagar Highway may be suspended at various times as part of security arrangements. Entry of heavy traffic into the city from any direction will remain strictly prohibited.

Police have advised owners of heavy vehicles to avoid travelling toward Islamabad these days to prevent inconvenience. For residents, an alternate traffic plan has been put in place to ensure smoother movement despite road closures.

According to ITP, residents of sectors G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6, and F-7 have been advised to use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel to and from Rawalpindi. Traffic heading towards Zero Point via Faisal Avenue will be diverted to 9th Avenue.

In case of closure between Zero Point and Korral Chowk, commuters can use Srinagar Highway to access 9th Avenue, then proceed via Stadium Road, Murree Road (Chandni Chowk), and Rawal Road to reach Korral. Similarly, if the route from Park Road to Club Road is closed, traffic will be diverted towards Tramri Chowk.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon posted on X that heavy transport and public transport in the city are being suspended till further orders. Citizens are earnestly requested to cooperate with the security agencies, he further said.

Similarly, all private, public, and goods transport has been suspended with immediate effect in Rawalpindi. “All private, public and goods transport in Rawalpindi is hereby suspended with immediate effect,” DC Rawalpindi said in his X post.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026